Where to Grow:

Gardeners' Notes:

Height: 50 - 60 cm. Medium red, edged white.
Named after Aleksey Maresyev-- the WWII pilot. In 1942 the Germans shot down his plane and he ended up alone in the woods behind the enemy lines. Maresyev hurt his legs and couldn't walk, so he had to crawl back to the friendly side through the frozen forest for 18 days. His legs were severely wounded and frostbitten-- they had to be amputated below the knees. Aleksey Maresyev was one of those people who really loved flying, and he couldn't picture his life without the freedom and thrills that being in control of an airplane gives. Being a pilot was Aleksey's dream since the early childhood. The commission that evaluated him on his ability to participate in the war, judged him as unable-- which would mean no more flying. Aleksey wasn't g... read moreoing to give up that easily; he danced on his artificial legs in front of the commission to show them that he could do anything that other people could. But after he stopped dancing, Maresyev exited the room and lost his consciousness from the horrible pain. His courage and progress moved the judges; he was back in the air force, and had flown through the entire war and for many years after that.